Dynamic collimator for wide coverage and low dose cardiac CT imaging

ABSTRACT

A CT scanner comprising a dynamic collimator disposed near an x-ray source and a controller configured to rotate the x-ray source about a subject, wherein imaging data is acquired from a single rotation of the x-ray source, the single rotation being divided into a first half-scan and a second half-scan. The controller is further configured to position the dynamic collimator after acquiring image data from one of the first half-scan and the second half-scan and simultaneous to commencement of acquiring image data from the other of the first half-scan and the second half-scan to obstruct a central portion of an x-ray beam emitted by the x-ray source during one of the first half-scan and the second half-scan. The CT scanner is further configured to reconstruct a CT image using the first set of imaging data and the second set of imaging data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/915,111 filed Oct. 29, 2010, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to diagnostic imaging and,more particularly, to a method and apparatus of computed tomography (CT)imaging capable of having high temporal resolution, reduced imageartifacts due to missing data and longitudinal truncation, and reducedradiation dose.

Typically, in computed tomography (CT) imaging systems, an x-ray sourceemits a fan-shaped beam toward a subject or object, such as a patient ora piece of luggage. Hereinafter, the terms “subject” and “object” shallinclude anything capable of being imaged. The beam, after beingattenuated by the subject, impinges upon an array of radiationdetectors. The intensity of the attenuated beam radiation received atthe detector array is typically dependent upon the attenuation of thex-ray beam by the subject. Each detector element of the detector arrayproduces a separate electrical signal indicative of the attenuated beamreceived by each detector element. The electrical signals aretransmitted to a data processing system for analysis which ultimatelyproduces an image.

Generally, the x-ray source and the detector array are rotated about thegantry within an imaging plane and around the subject. X-ray sourcestypically include x-ray tubes, which emit the x-ray beam at a focalpoint. X-ray detectors typically include a collimator for collimatingx-ray beams received at the detector, a scintillator for convertingx-rays to light energy adjacent the collimator, and photodiodes forreceiving the light energy from the adjacent scintillator and producingelectrical signals therefrom.

Typically, each scintillator of a scintillator array converts x-rays tolight energy. Each scintillator discharges light energy to a photodiodeadjacent thereto. Each photodiode detects the light energy and generatesa corresponding electrical signal. The outputs of the photodiodes arethen transmitted to the data processing system for image reconstruction.

One of the key modern applications for CT imaging is its use in cardiacimaging. However, cardiac imaging techniques such as coronary CTangiography pose unique technical challenges, one of which is the needfor high temporal resolution to avoid motion artifacts in the image. Oneway to achieve such high temporal resolution is to use wide-coveragemulti-detector-row CT (MDCT) systems to scan the entire heart regionwithin one gantry rotation. Here, the wide coverage refers to the x-raybeam coverage in the longitudinal direction, which can cover themajority of the human's heart within one axial rotation. Typically, onlydata from roughly half of the scan is utilized for image reconstructionto maintain the temporal resolution. Unfortunately, however, suchcardiac half-scan imaging methods face severe missing data andlongitudinal truncation issues when the large x-ray cone beam angle islarge. The cone beam artifacts caused by this cardiac half-scan methodare easily observed in the reconstructed images and greatly deterioratethe image quality.

In order to mitigate the missing data and longitudinal truncationproblems associated with the cardiac half-scan technique describedabove, the use of wide-coverage, full-scan cardiac imaging (albeit usinga half-scan reconstruction method) is one solution. This wide-coverage,full-scan cardiac imaging offers a way to maintain temporal resolutionwhile alleviating the missing data and longitudinal truncation problemsassociated with half-scan imaging. However, full-scan cardiac imagingimposes a larger radiation dose on the subject as compared to half-scancardiac imaging. In fact, the radiation dose in full-scan cardiacimaging represents a 50 percent (or greater) increase in radiation doseover half-scan cardiac imaging. With every effort made to minimize theradiation dose and scan time to which the patient is subjected,conventional full-scan cardiac imaging is less than ideal.

Therefore, it would be desirable to design an apparatus and method forCT imaging capable of having high temporal resolution, reduced imageartifacts due to missing data and longitudinal truncation, and reducedradiation dose.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the invention is directed to a computed tomography (CT)scanner comprising a gantry having an opening therein to receive asubject to be scanned, an x-ray source disposed within the gantry andconfigured to project a cone beam of x-rays at the subject during CTdata acquisition, and a detector array configured to detect x-rayspassing through the subject. The CT scanner further comprises a dynamiccollimator disposed near the x-ray source and a controller configured torotate the x-ray source about the subject, wherein a single rotation ofthe x-ray source is divided into a first half-scan and a secondhalf-scan, acquire a first set of imaging data during the firsthalf-scan, and acquire a second set of imaging data during the secondhalf-scan. The controller is further configured to position the dynamiccollimator after acquiring image data from one of the first half-scanand the second half-scan and simultaneous to commencement of acquiringimage data from the other of the first half-scan and the secondhalf-scan, wherein the dynamic collimator is configured to obstruct acentral portion of an x-ray beam emitted by the x-ray source during oneof the first half-scan and the second half-scan, and reconstruct a CTimage using the first set of imaging data and the second set of imagingdata.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of cardiacCT imaging, the method comprising rotating an x-ray source through aseries of projection angles about a scan subject along an annular pathof rotation, wherein a single rotation of the x-ray source is dividedinto a first half-scan and a second half-scan, acquiring a first set ofimaging data from the first half-scan, and acquiring a second set ofimaging data from the second half-scan. The method further comprisesdeploying a collimator after completion of image data acquisition fromone of the first half-scan and the second half-scan and simultaneous tocommencement of image data acquisition from the other of the firsthalf-scan and the second half-scan to block a central portion of anx-ray beam emitted by the x-ray source during one of the first half-scanand the second half-scan, and reconstructing a CT image using the firstset of imaging data and the second set of imaging data.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a CT imaging systemcomprising a rotatable gantry having an opening therein to receive asubject to be scanned, an x-ray source disposed within the rotatablegantry and configured to project a beam of x-rays at the subject duringCT data acquisition, and a collimator disposed near the x-ray source,wherein the collimator is configured to be moveably positioned into thepath of the projected beam of x-rays. The CT imaging system furthercomprises a computer programmed to fully rotate the x-ray source aboutthe subject, wherein the rotation of the x-ray source is divided into afirst half-scan and a second half-scan, acquire a first set of imagingdata from the first half-scan, and acquire a second set of imaging datafrom the second half-scan. The computer is further programmed tomoveably position the collimator to block a central portion of an x-raybeam emitted by the x-ray source after acquisition of imaging data fromone of the first half-scan and the second half-scan, simultaneous tocommencement of commencement of acquisition of imaging data from theother of the first half-scan and the second-half scan, and during theentirety of acquisition of imaging data from the other of the firsthalf-scan and the second half-scan, and reconstruct a CT image using thefirst set of imaging data and the second set of imaging data.

Various other features and advantages will be made apparent from thefollowing detailed description and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate one preferred embodiment presently contemplatedfor carrying out the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a CT imaging system.

FIG. 2 is a block schematic diagram of the system illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a CT system detectorarray.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a detector.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a first half-scan of awide-longitudinal detector approach to cardiac CT imaging in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a second half-scan of awide-longitudinal detector approach to cardiac CT imaging in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a method of CT imaging in accordance withan embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a pictorial view of a CT system for use with a non-invasivepackage inspection system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The operating environment of the invention is described with respect toa wide-coverage multi-detector-row computed tomography (CT) system.However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that theinvention is equally applicable for use with other multi-sliceconfigurations. Moreover, the invention will be described with respectto the detection and conversion of x-rays. However, one skilled in theart will further appreciate that the invention is equally applicable forthe detection and conversion of other high frequency electromagneticenergy. The invention will be described with respect to a “thirdgeneration” CT scanner, but is equally applicable with other CT systems.

Referring to FIG. 1, a computed tomography (CT) imaging system 10 isshown as including a gantry 12 representative of a “third generation” CTscanner. Gantry 12 has an x-ray source 14 that projects a beam of x-raystoward a detector assembly or post patient collimation 18 on theopposite side of the gantry 12. Referring now to FIG. 2, detectorassembly 18 is formed by a plurality of detectors 20 and dataacquisition systems (DAS) 32. The plurality of detectors 20 sense theprojected x-rays 16 that pass through a medical patient 22, and DAS 32converts the data to digital signals for subsequent processing. Eachdetector 20 produces an analog electrical signal that represents theintensity of an impinging x-ray beam and hence the attenuated beam as itpasses through the patient 22. During a scan to acquire x-ray projectiondata, gantry 12 and the components mounted thereon rotate about a centerof rotation 24.

Rotation of gantry 12 and the operation of x-ray source 14 are governedby a control mechanism 26 of CT system 10. Control mechanism 26 includesan x-ray controller 28 that provides power and timing signals to anx-ray source 14 and a gantry motor controller 30 that controls therotational speed and position of gantry 12. An image reconstructor 34receives sampled and digitized x-ray data from DAS 32 and performs highspeed reconstruction. The reconstructed image is applied as an input toa computer 36 which stores the image in a mass storage device 38.

Computer 36 also receives commands and scanning parameters from anoperator via console 40 that has some form of operator interface, suchas a keyboard, mouse, voice activated controller, or any other suitableinput apparatus. An associated display 42 allows the operator to observethe reconstructed image and other data from computer 36. The operatorsupplied commands and parameters are used by computer 36 to providecontrol signals and information to DAS 32, x-ray controller 28 andgantry motor controller 30. In addition, computer 36 operates a tablemotor controller 44 which controls a motorized table 46 to positionpatient 22 and gantry 12. Particularly, table 46 moves patients 22through a gantry opening 48 of FIG. 1 in whole or in part.

As shown in FIG. 3, detector assembly 18 includes rails 17 havingcollimating blades or plates 19 placed therebetween. Plates 19 arepositioned to collimate x-rays 16 before such beams impinge upon, forinstance, detector 20 of FIG. 4 positioned on detector assembly 18. Inone embodiment, detector assembly 18 includes 57 detectors 20, eachdetector 20 having an array size of 64 x 16 of pixel elements 50. As aresult, detector assembly 18 has 64 rows and 912 columns (16×57detectors) which allows 64 simultaneous slices of data to be collectedwith each rotation of gantry 12. To achieve wide-coverage inlongitudinal direction to cover the whole human heart in one rotation,typically more than 64 rows of detectors are required. The number ofdetector rows required is the function of the coverage required and thedetector row width.

Referring to FIG. 4, detector 20 includes DAS 32, with each detector 20including a number of detector elements 50 arranged in pack 51.Detectors 20 include pins 52 positioned within pack 51 relative todetector elements 50. Pack 51 is positioned on a backlit diode array 53having a plurality of diodes 59. Backlit diode array 53 is in turnpositioned on multi-layer substrate 54. Spacers 55 are positioned onmulti-layer substrate 54. Detector elements 50 are optically coupled tobacklit diode array 53, and backlit diode array 53 is in turnelectrically coupled to multi-layer substrate 54. Flex circuits 56 areattached to face 57 of multi-layer substrate 54 and to DAS 32. Detectors20 are positioned within detector assembly 18 by use of pins 52.

In the operation of one embodiment, x-rays impinging within detectorelements 50 generate photons which traverse pack 51, thereby generatingan analog signal which is detected on a diode within backlit diode array53. The analog signal generated is carried through multi-layer substrate54, through flex circuits 56, to DAS 32 wherein the analog signal isconverted to a digital signal.

As discussed above, one of the key modern applications of computedtomography is its use in cardiac imaging. Due to rapid and near-constantcardiac motion, high temporal acquisition speed is used in cardiac CTimaging to avoid motion artifacts in the reconstructed images. Toachieve such high temporal resolution, various advanced acquisitiontechniques have been developed for cardiac imaging, including fastgantry rotation speed, wide longitudinal detector coverage, multiplex-ray sources, etc. Specifically referring to the wide longitudinaldetector approach, it is expected that one single axial rotation of thex-ray source about the subject will enable imaging of the whole heartfor the majority of the patient population.

Conventionally, cardiac imaging has been performed using a half-scanacquisition mode, which allows for the imaging data needed toreconstruct an image to be acquired from essentially half of the fullgantry rotation. However, due to the large cone beam angle present inthe wide longitudinal detector approach, severe cone beam artifacts maybe present in images generated using the half-scan acquisition mode.Utilization of a full-scan acquisition mode may alleviate the cone beamartifacts present in the image, but it comes at the cost of addedradiation dose on the subject.

Referring to FIG. 5, a schematic representation of the wide-longitudinaldetector approach to cardiac CT imaging described above is shown. FIG. 5represents a first half-scan acquisition in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention, as will be described below.

An x-ray source 200 emits a cone-shaped beam of x-rays 201 throughbowtie filter 202, which absorbs low energy photons emitted by x-raysource 200 prior to them reaching an object to be scanned. Both x-raysource 200 and bowtie filter 202 rotate axially about the Z-axis of animaging volume 204. While FIG. 5 shows x-ray source 200 and bowtiefilter 202 rotated at only 180-degrees about the Z-axis, this is simplyto illustrate the coverage of the cone-shaped beam 201 throughout ascan, and it is to be understood that x-ray source 200 and bowtie filter202 are capable of a 360-degree rotation about imaging volume 204.

In cardiac CT imaging, imaging volume 204 represents an entire heartregion and is the region that is intended to be reconstructed after asingle rotation of x-ray source 200 and bowtie filter 202 about theZ-axis. In the example shown in FIG. 5, imaging volume 204 hasdimensions in the longitudinal direction of 160 mm (w=160 mm) and anoverall diameter of 250 mm (d=250 mm), but it is to be understood thatimaging volume 204 is not limited to such dimensions. Furthermore, thedistance from x-ray source 200 to the Z-axis in FIG. 5 is 610 mm, but itis to be understood that this distance is not limited to suchdimensions, as well.

For a full-scan acquisition of imaging volume 204, x-ray source 200 maybe rotated a full axial rotation (i.e., 360-degrees) about imagingvolume 204, and imaging data from this full-scan is utilized toreconstruct an image representing imaging volume 204. After imaging datais acquired during a first half-scan (i.e., the first180-degrees-plus-fan-angle of the full axial rotation), imaging datahaving complimentary projection angles to that of the first half-scanare acquired during a second half-scan (i.e., the second 180-degreesegment of full axial rotation). Thus, full-scan acquisition providesfor the greatest range of data to be used in image reconstruction, whichis useful in reconstructing images having reduced artifacts. Forexample, referring to FIG. 5, a full-scan acquisition allows for full360-degree scan coverage at region 206 of imaging volume 204, greaterthan 180-degree scan coverage at region 208, and less than 180-degreescan coverage at region 210. For a reconstructed image to havelittle-to-no cone beam artifacts, at least 180-degrees of scan coverageis desired, and such scan coverage is substantially obtained usingfull-scan acquisition. In fact, using the example set forth in FIG. 5,more than 98% of coverage data is provided via a full-scan acquisition,with only minimal region 210 providing less than 180 degrees of scancoverage under these conditions.

While a full-scan acquisition successfully enables images having minimalcone beam artifacts to be acquired, such a full-scan acquisition alsosubjects the object to be scanned to undesirable additional radiationdosage. As an alternative, a half-scan acquisition approach may beutilized to reduce radiation dose, but such an approach on its own leadsto substantially less coverage data being available for imagereconstruction as compared with a full-scan acquisition. As statedabove, at least 180-degrees of scan coverage is desired for imagereconstruction. Using only a half-scan acquisition, much less datacoverage is possible, and thus substantial portions of imaging volume204 would contain insufficient data for image reconstruction. Forexample, referring again to FIG. 5, region 206 of imaging volume 204will have greater than 180-degrees of scan coverage using the half-scanacquisition approach, but region 208 will have less than 180-degrees ofscan coverage, and region 210 will have much less than 180-degrees ofscan coverage, resulting in approximately 86% of overall coverage data(as compared to more than 98% of coverage data using full-scanacquisition). The lack of scan coverage in conventional half-scanacquisition alone results in undesirable cone beam artifacts, and thusthe half-scan acquisition approach is not attractive for use inwide-coverage cardiac imaging when cone beam artifacts are the mainconcern.

Therefore, while FIG. 5 illustrates a first half-scan acquisition inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention, a second half-scanacquisition is desired to enable acquisition of sufficient data forlow-artifact image reconstruction, yet minimize additional radiationdose to which the scanned object is subjected. Embodiments of theinvention achieve such an image data acquisition method using respectivefirst and second half-scan acquisitions, as will be described furtherherein with respect to FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 6, a schematic representation of a second half-scanacquisition in accordance with embodiments of the invention is shown.For the sake of consistency and ease of understanding, common elementsbetween FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 share common reference numbers, and thepurpose or meaning of each common element will not be reiterated herein.

As described above with respect to FIG. 5, image data from a firsthalf-scan is acquired by axially rotating x-ray source 200 and bowtiefilter 202 about the Z-axis of imaging volume 204, and imaging data iscontinuously acquired during this first half-scan. The first half-scanconstitutes a 180-degree rotation about the Z-axis, along with the fanangle of the x-ray beam. Sufficient image data is acquired for region206 during this first half-scan, as greater than 180-degrees of scancoverage is obtained in region 206. However, insufficient data isacquired in region 208 and region 210 from the first half-scan alone,and thus full-scan acquisition is more attractive for effective imagereconstruction of the entirety of imaging volume 204.

Thus, after image data acquisition during the first half-scan, x-raysource 200 enters the second 180-degrees of axial rotation about imagingvolume 204, referred to as the second half-scan. However, simultaneousto commencement of image data acquisition in the second half-scan, adynamic collimator 212 is moveably positioned between x-ray source 200and bowtie filter 202 so as to effectively block a central portion ofthe x-ray beam emitted from x-ray source 200. In this way, dynamiccollimator 212 obstructs much of the x-ray beam emitted from the x-raysource 200, but allows outer portions of the x-ray beam (that is,portions of the x-ray beam outside of lines 214) to impinge on thescanned object during the second half-scan. Redundant and unnecessaryimage data from region 206 that was already acquired during the firsthalf-scan is not acquired during the second half-scan, while image datafrom undersampled region 208 and region 210 is still acquired during thesecond half-scan, thereby enabling at least 180-degrees of data coverageto be acquired for most of imaging volume 204. Upon acquisition of imagedata from both the first half-scan and the second half-scan, a CT imageis reconstructed.

The CT imaging technique described above with respect to FIG. 5 and FIG.6 not only enables sufficient data coverage to be acquired, but alsosubstantially reduces the potential radiation dose to which the scannedobject is subjected. Furthermore, when this technique is implemented forcardiac CT imaging with certain gantry rotation speed, the entirefull-scan acquisition can be completed within a single heartbeat,thereby achieving the high temporal resolution necessary to avoid motionartifacts.

Dynamic collimator 212 is preferably formed of a high attenuationmaterial (e.g., tungsten), which enables it to effectively block asubstantial portion of the x-ray beam emitted by x-ray source 200. Whilethe term “collimator” is used, dynamic collimator 212 does not shape thex-ray beam in the conventional sense, but instead blocks a substantialcentral portion (i.e., 80 percent) of the x-ray beam, while allowingouter portions of the x-ray beam to impinge upon the scanned object.Unlike conventional collimators used in CT imaging, dynamic collimator212 is also formed as a single unit. Furthermore, dynamic collimator 212may be moveably positioned between x-ray source 200 and bowtie 202 afterthe first half-scan and simultaneous to commencement of the secondhalf-scan using any appropriate actuation means. However, while theexample set forth above specifies that dynamic collimator 212 isdeployed during the second half-scan, the invention is not limited assuch. That is, dynamic collimator 212 could be positioned to block aportion of the x-ray beam during the first half-scan and not bepositioned to block a portion of the x-ray beam during the secondhalf-scan. Furthermore, the dynamic collimator 212 could be positionedto block a portion of the x-ray beam during any period of the full scan.

Without use of dynamic collimator 212 during the second half-scan, theradiation dose could be, for example, more than 50% higher duringfull-scan acquisition than simply taking a half-scan acquisition for thesame coverage. However, using dynamic collimator 212 to block, forexample, an 80% portion of the x-ray beam during the second half-scanensures that the object being imaged is covered uniformly by at least180 degree sampling. This approach amounts to a radiation dose reductionof approximately 30% over conventional full-scan acquisition. Such asubstantial reduction in radiation dose, when coupled high temporalresolution and reduced cone beam artifacts, make the wide coveragefull-scan acquisition technique described with respect to the inventionan attractive option for cardiac CT imaging.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a method of CT imaging 300 in accordance withan embodiment of the invention is shown. Method 300 begins with rotatingan x-ray source about a scan subject (e.g., a patient) along an annularpath at block 302. At block 304, a first set of imaging data is acquiredfrom the first half-scan from the x-ray source. Next, at block 306, adynamic collimator is deployed after completion of the acquisition ofimaging data during the first half-scan and simultaneous to commencementof imaging data acquisition from a second half scan. As described above,the dynamic collimator is configured to block a substantial portion ofthe x-ray beam emitted by the x-ray source during the second half-scan.At block 308, a second set of imaging data is acquired from the secondhalf-scan, thereby completing a full-scan acquisition of image data.Finally, at block 310, a CT image is reconstructed using the acquiredfirst and second sets of imaging data.

While the above examples pertain specifically to cardiac CT imaging, theinvention is not limited as such. The invention may be applied to otherforms of CT imaging, particularly those in which reduced or limitedradiation dose is desired, including neuro studies and pediatric scans,

Referring now to FIG. 8, package/baggage inspection system 100 includesa rotatable gantry 102 having an opening 104 therein through whichpackages or pieces of baggage may pass. The rotatable gantry 102 housesa high frequency electromagnetic energy source 106 as well as a detectorassembly 108 having scintillator arrays comprised of scintillator cellssimilar to that shown in FIG. 6 or 7. A conveyor system 110 is alsoprovided and includes a conveyor belt 112 supported by structure 114 toautomatically and continuously pass packages or baggage pieces 116through opening 104 to be scanned. Objects 116 are fed through opening104 by conveyor belt 112, imaging data is then acquired, and theconveyor belt 112 removes the packages 116 from opening 104 in acontrolled and continuous manner. As a result, postal inspectors,baggage handlers, and other security personnel may non-invasivelyinspect the contents of packages 116 for explosives, knives, guns,contraband, etc.

A technical contribution for the disclosed method and apparatus is thatis provides for a computer implemented to perform a method of computedtomography (CT) imaging capable of having high temporal resolution,reduced image artifacts due to missing data and longitudinal truncation,and reduced radiation dose.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the inventionmay be interfaced to and controlled by a computer readable storagemedium having stored thereon a computer program. The computer readablestorage medium includes a plurality of components such as one or more ofelectronic components, hardware components, and/or computer softwarecomponents. These components may include one or more computer readablestorage media that generally stores instructions such as software,firmware and/or assembly language for performing one or more portions ofone or more implementations or embodiments of a sequence. These computerreadable storage media are generally non-transitory and/or tangible.Examples of such a computer readable storage medium include a recordabledata storage medium of a computer and/or storage device. The computerreadable storage media may employ, for example, one or more of amagnetic, electrical, optical, biological, and/or atomic data storagemedium. Further, such media may take the form of, for example, floppydisks, magnetic tapes, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, hard disk drives, and/orelectronic memory. Other forms of non-transitory and/or tangiblecomputer readable storage media not list may be employed withembodiments of the invention.

A number of such components can be combined or divided in animplementation of a system. Further, such components may include a setand/or series of computer instructions written in or implemented withany of a number of programming languages, as will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art. In addition, other forms of computer readablemedia such as a carrier wave may be employed to embody a computer datasignal representing a sequence of instructions that when executed by oneor more computers causes the one or more computers to perform one ormore portions of one or more implementations or embodiments of asequence.

Accordingly, an embodiment of the invention is directed to a computedtomography (CT) scanner comprising a gantry having an opening therein toreceive a subject to be scanned, an x-ray source disposed within thegantry and configured to project a cone beam of x-rays at the subjectduring CT data acquisition, and a detector array configured to detectx-rays passing through the subject. The CT scanner further comprises adynamic collimator disposed near the x-ray source and a controllerconfigured to rotate the x-ray source about the subject, wherein asingle rotation of the x-ray source is divided into a first half-scanand a second half-scan, acquire a first set of imaging data during thefirst half-scan, and acquire a second set of imaging data during thesecond half-scan. The controller is further configured to position thedynamic collimator after acquiring image data from one of the firsthalf-scan and the second half-scan scan and simultaneous to commencementof acquiring image data from the other of the first half-scan and thesecond half-scan, wherein the dynamic collimator is configured toobstruct a central portion of an x-ray beam emitted by the x-ray sourceduring one of the first half-scan and the second half-scan, andreconstruct a CT image using the first set of imaging data and thesecond set of imaging data.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of cardiacCT imaging, the method comprising rotating an x-ray source through aseries of projection angles about a scan subject along an annular pathof rotation, wherein a single rotation of the x-ray source is dividedinto a first half-scan and a second half-scan, acquiring a first set ofimaging data from the first half-scan, and acquiring a second set ofimaging data from the second half-scan. The method further comprisesdeploying a collimator after completion of image data acquisition fromone of the first half-scan and the second half-scan and simultaneous tocommencement of image data acquisition from the other of the firsthalf-scan and the second half-scan to block a central portion of anx-ray beam emitted by the x-ray source during one of the first half-scanand the second half-scan, and reconstructing a CT image using the firstset of imaging data and the second set of imaging data.

Yet another embodiment of the invention is directed to a CT imagingsystem comprising a rotatable gantry having an opening therein toreceive a subject to be scanned, an x-ray source disposed within therotatable gantry and configured to project a beam of x-rays at thesubject during CT data acquisition, and a collimator disposed near thex-ray source, wherein the collimator is configured to be moveablypositioned into the path of the projected beam of x-rays. The CT imagingsystem further comprises a computer programmed to fully rotate the x-raysource about the subject, wherein the rotation of the x-ray source isdivided into a first half-scan and a second half-scan, acquire a firstset of imaging data from the first half-scan, and acquire a second setof imaging data from the second half-scan. The computer is furtherprogrammed to moveably position the collimator to block a centralportion of an x-ray beam emitted by the x-ray source after acquisitionof imaging data from one of the first half-scan and the secondhalf-scan, at commencement of acquisition of imaging data from the otherof the first half-scan and the second-half scan, and during the entiretyof acquisition of imaging data from the other of the first half-scan andthe second half-scan, and reconstruct a CT image using the first set ofimaging data and the second set of imaging data.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computed tomography (CT) scanner comprising: agantry having an opening therein to receive a subject to be scanned; anx-ray source disposed within the gantry and configured to project a conebeam of x-rays at the subject during CT data acquisition; a detectorarray configured to detect x-rays passing through the subject; a dynamiccollimator disposed near the x-ray source and moveable between anobstructing position and a non-obstructing position; and a controllerconfigured to perform a half-scan image reconstruction technique,wherein the controller is configured to: rotate the x-ray source aboutthe subject, wherein a single rotation of the x-ray source is dividedinto a first half-scan and a second half-scan; acquire a set of imagingdata during the first half-scan and during the second half-scan;position the dynamic collimator in the obstructing position during oneof the first half-scan and the second half-scan during the entire one ofthe first half-scan and the second half-scan; position the dynamiccollimator in the non-obstructing position during the other of the firsthalf-scan and the second half-scan during the entire other of the firsthalf-scan and the second half-scan; and reconstruct a CT image using theset of imaging data; wherein the dynamic collimator is positionedbetween the central portion of the cone beam of x-rays and the detectorarray in the obstructing position; and wherein the dynamic collimatordoes not obstruct the central portion of the cone beam of x-rays fromreaching the detector array in the non-obstructing position.
 2. The CTscanner of claim 1 further comprising a bowtie filter disposed near thex-ray source to absorb low-energy photons prior to reaching the subject,wherein the controller is configured to position the dynamic collimatorbetween the x-ray source and the bowtie filter.
 3. The CT scanner ofclaim 1 wherein the dynamic collimator is formed of a material havinghigh x-ray attenuation characteristics.
 4. The CT scanner of claim 3wherein the dynamic collimator is formed of tungsten.
 5. The CT scannerof claim 1 wherein the dynamic collimator comprises a single elementconfigured to obstruct a portion of the cone beam of x-rays.
 6. The CTscanner of claim 1 wherein the dynamic collimator is positioned adistance from the x-ray source so as to block only a central portion ofthe cone beam of x-rays emitted by the x-ray source and allow an outerportion of the x-ray beam to reach the subject; wherein the outerportion of the x-ray beam surrounds the central portion of the x-raybeam.
 7. The CT scanner of claim 1 wherein the dynamic collimator isconfigured to block 80 percent of the x-ray beam emitted by the x-raysource during the one of the first half-scan and the second half-scan.8. The CT scanner of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured torotate the x-ray source entirely about the subject within a singleheartbeat of the subject.
 9. The CT scanner of claim 1 wherein thecontroller is configured to reconstruct the CT image from the set ofimaging data acquired from a full rotation of the x-ray source about thesubject.
 10. The CT scanner of claim 1 wherein the detector array is amulti-detector-row array.
 11. A method of cardiac CT imaging, the methodcomprising: performing a half-scan image reconstruction techniquecomprising: rotating an x-ray source through a series of projectionangles about a scan subject along an annular path of rotation; acquiringa first set of imaging data from a first half-scan of a single rotationof the x-ray source; acquiring a second set of imaging data from asecond half-scan of the single rotation of the x-ray source; deploying acollimator during the second half-scan of the single rotation to block acentral portion of an x-ray beam emitted by the x-ray source fromimpinging upon the scan subject during the entire second half-scan ofthe single rotation; positioning the collimator during the firsthalf-scan of the single rotation to permit the central portion of thex-ray beam to reach the scan subject; and reconstructing a CT imageusing the first set of imaging data and the second set of imaging data.12. The method of claim 11 wherein acquiring the second set of imagingdata comprises acquiring imaging data based on a non-central portion ofthe x-ray beam emitted by the x-ray source, wherein the non-centralportion of the x-ray beam surrounds the central portion of the x-raybeam throughout the second half-scan.
 13. The method of claim 11 furthercomprising: rotating the x-ray source 180 degrees plus a fan angle ofthe x-ray source during the first half-scan; and wherein the step ofreconstructing a CT image comprises reconstructing an image using thefirst set of imaging data and the second set of imaging data acquiredfrom a full rotation of the x-ray source about the scan subject.
 14. Themethod of claim 11 further comprising fully rotating the x-ray sourceabout the scan subject within a single heartbeat duration of the scansubject.
 15. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of deploying thecollimator comprises blocking 80 percent of the x-ray beam emitted bythe x-ray source during the second half-scan.
 16. A CT imaging systemcomprising: a rotatable gantry having an opening therein to receive asubject to be scanned; an x-ray source disposed within the rotatablegantry and configured to project a beam of x-rays at the subject duringCT data acquisition; a collimator disposed near the x-ray source,wherein the collimator is configured to be moveably positioned into thepath of the projected beam of x-rays; and a computer programmed toperform a half-scan image reconstruction technique, wherein the computeris programmed to: fully rotate the x-ray source about the subject,wherein the rotation of the x-ray source comprises a 360 degree rotationthat is divided into a first half-scan and a second half-scan; acquire afirst set of imaging data from the first half-scan; acquire a second setof imaging data from the second half-scan; moveably position thecollimator to block a central portion of an x-ray beam emitted by thex-ray source during the entirety of acquisition of imaging data fromonly one of the first half-scan and the second half-scan; andreconstruct a CT image using the first set of imaging data and thesecond set of imaging data; wherein one of the first half-scan and thesecond half-scan comprises a rotation greater than 180 degrees.
 17. TheCT system of claim 16 wherein the collimator is formed as a single unithaving high x-ray attenuation characteristics.
 18. The CT system ofclaim 16 wherein the computer is further programmed to: cause rotationof the gantry at a gantry speed such that the first half-scan and secondhalf-scan occur within a single heartbeat duration; and rotate the x-raysource 180 degrees plus a fan angle of the x-ray source during the firsthalf-scan.
 19. The CT system of claim 16 wherein the computer is furtherprogrammed to define the first half-scan and the second half-scan suchthat an imaging volume of first half-scan partially overlaps the imagingvolume of the second half-scan; and wherein the first and second sets ofimaging data comprise complimentary projection angles.
 20. The CT systemof claim 16 wherein the collimator is sized and disposed a distance fromthe x-ray source such that the collimator blocks only a central portionof the x-ray beam emitted by the x-ray source at the subject during theentire second half-scan; and wherein the collimator is positioned duringthe first half-scan to permit the central portion of the x-ray beam toreach a central region of the subject.